Men's health

Often, one can hear from doctors that the issue of conception of a couple should be approached consciously, including passing a medical examination in advance. What exactly is it for a man who is thinking about a child?

Men, unfortunately, almost never visit a urologist prophylactically, unlike women who regularly visit a gynecologist and monitor their health. But when a couple thinks about conception, a man still should go to the doctor and pass a spermogram, that is, an analysis of sperm. Men over 40 years old, even in the absence of any complaints, must also visit a urologist.

What awaits a man at an urologist-andrologist? Is there any need to specially prepare?

To save time, for men we have a set of examinations, which includes two visits to the clinic. This is done based on the requests of the patients themselves. The first time a man talks with a doctor, gives sperm and a blood test. The second time the doctor looks at the test results, makes an ultrasound of all urological organs and makes recommendations. Sperm analysis is given by masturbation in a special room. A man will need preparation: 4 days of sexual abstinence, as well as refusal at this time from alcohol, a bath or a sauna. Sperm collection is carried out in the clinic, as sperm are sensitive to temperature extremes.

At the reception, the doctor conducts an examination of the external genital organs of the patient, as well as an examination of the prostate gland, which is carried out through the anus. This procedure is not very pleasant psychologically, especially if it happens for the first time, but it is not accompanied by any kind of pain. During the conversation with the patient, the doctor will determine what range of tests is needed in each case.

Often men are afraid to see a doctor, for fear of taking a smear from the urethra. The procedure is really painful if the fence is carried out according to the old method using a special brush. After it, it hurts a man to urinate for three days. In our clinic, the fence is not brushed. A more gentle tool is used.

Men's health depends on age, lifestyle, bad habits of men?

Yes, of course, men's health is a derivative of lifestyle. But, unfortunately, it also happens that a man leads an absolutely healthy lifestyle, goes in for sports, eats properly and does not work in harmful production, but at the same time he has a bad spermogram. This may be due to hidden genetic and hormonal factors. Since this does not manifest itself in any way, for such men this comes as a surprise. And everything turns out when a man goes to the doctor after fruitless attempts to conceive a child.

After what period of time should a man, couple start to worry that they can’t conceive a child?

According to official recommendations, after one year of trying to conceive a child. I personally recommend going to the doctor immediately, as soon as there is a desire to have a baby. Examination of a man is very simple and the results are immediately obvious, in contrast to the examination of a woman, which is more complex and, accordingly, more expensive. Therefore, a man who wants to have a child, it is better to immediately go to the urologist and be sure that he will not have problems with conception. Because you can spend a whole year on fruitless attempts, and then it turns out that he was lost in vain.

What treatment methods will make sperm quality?

Most often, male infertility is associated with pathology of the prostate gland and various hormonal disorders. We examine the prostate gland, and if it is inflamed, we remove the inflammation. We also look at a blood test for hormones. If there are changes, we correct pointwise defined hormones. The most commonly used medication.

Inflammation of the prostate gland can also not manifest itself in any way? So, is this another reason to go to the doctor regularly?

Paradoxically, in almost half the cases, men do not feel the presence of prostatitis. Diagnosis requires prostate massage and laboratory analysis of prostate juice for white blood cell count. Despite the absence of symptoms, the focus of inflammation exists, there is a sluggish process, but it does not end with anything good. Inflammation must be treated.

Sperm analysis shows sperm quality, and what exactly is meant by this?

There are four main indicators for a spermogram: sperm count, their speed, morphology, and MAP test. Morphology just shows the quality of sperm. They form very quickly, so most spermatozoa have a defective shape - someone has a problem with the head, someone has a curved neck, someone has an altered tail. It is required that sperm contain at least 4% of spermatozoa with perfect “appearance” - a symmetrical head, a beautiful neck, a normal tail. The higher the percentage of such sperm, the faster the pregnancy. If the percentage of normal sperm is more than 10, then pregnancy occurs within 2-3 months. In healthy men, the percentage of normal sperm is from 10-15, a maximum of 20%.

If ideal sperm count is less than 4%, then there is no reason to hope for an independent conception of the child. It will require treatment by a urologist. It also happens that a man has no sperm in his sperm - this is called azoospermia. Outwardly, it is impossible to determine this in any way - a man has sperm, it usually looks like. The absence of sperm in it shows only a spermogram.

How long does a course of treatment take when a man identifies problems?

The average duration of treatment for prostatitis is 1-2 months. If the problem is in sperm indicators, then the average term is 3-6 months.

Hidden sexually transmitted infections, some asymptomatic sexually transmitted diseases can also affect the ability to conceive?

Yes, this is a frequent occurrence. Genital infections, especially those that are asymptomatic, but nonetheless cause sluggish inflammation in the genitals, adversely affect a man’s ability to conceive. The leader of latent infections is currently ureaplasma. This is a big problem for couples. This infection must be treated both in men and women. She is very dangerous. Ureaplasma does not cause acute symptoms like Trichomonas or the causative agent of gonorrhea, but can cause immune infertility. This is when your own immune system does not allow to conceive a child.

If a couple thinks about a child, then it is more correct for both of them to immediately seem to their specialists - a urologist and a gynecologist.

Male sexual problems and ways to solve them, part 1

Over the course of almost a century, surveys conducted among the population have shown that the list of stresses associated with marriage is headed by money. Opinion researchers simply did not ask people about sex, and the respondents themselves did not give such information. When sexual issues began to be included in the list, monetary problems receded into the background. Even among happily married couples, approximately 50% of men mentioned some kind of sexual difficulties (among women there were even less satisfied - about 25%).

Contrary to the beliefs of some men, sexual intercourse is not so necessary to maintain health. Ascetics who abstained for philosophical or religious reasons did not suffer from poor health; in the same way, refusing tasty food or physical comfort is not harmful. On the other hand, being one of the pleasures of life, full-fledged sex contributes to a good emotional mood among those who do not avoid earthly pleasures. Sexual disorders often cause people a lot of unnecessary suffering - unnecessary because there are many good ways to correct them.

What to know about impotencies

In the early 60s, experts agreed that 90% of impotent men experience emotional difficulties. Older general practitioners usually prescribed testosterone injections to these patients, which was apparently useless. Younger and more well-trained therapists looked at this practice as a sort of witchcraft and referred their patients to physiotherapy, which also did not help.

In the mid-70s, doctors began to identify more purely physical causes of impotence, and 10 years ago they began to cope with this misfortune. Now experts are convinced that in most cases purely organic (i.e., not psychological) causes lead to impotence. Some of these patients are treated by family doctors, most of the rest fall into the hands of urologists.

Normal sex

1. Anatomy. Although the penis is similar to a tube, in fact it consists of three cylinders with a common meaty cap (head) at the end. For most of its length, it consists of two tubular bodies closely adjacent to each other, called cavernous bodies. Under them passes the third tube - the spongy body, inside which is the urethra. If you firmly squeeze the penis with your fingers, then feel all three body tubes. The names "spongy" and "cavernous" exactly characterize them, because the cylinders are penetrated by large veins, almost empty until the onset of an erection. A thin cylinder of bulbocavernous muscles forms the membrane of all three bodies. The contractions of this muscular membrane allow you to get rid of the last few drops of urine after urination, but it does not play a big role in the erection mechanism. Paired ischiocavernous muscles begin on the pubis and are connected to the base of the penis. By contracting and blocking the veins, they promote an erection, stopping the outflow of blood from the penis. However, these muscles alone do not produce an erection - it occurs when the penis is filled with blood. This condition requires healthy blood vessels and healthy nerves.

2. Nerves. The nerves that control an erection begin in the nerve centers located in the lower part of the spinal column. Pulses from the brain (thoughts, pleasant sensations) can pass along the spinal cord and cause an erection, but are not a prerequisite for it.

Experts determine three forms of erection: reflex - occurs with stimulation of the genitals. Like another reflex, for example, the knee, it occurs with the participation of the spinal cord. A similar form of erection can be observed in paraplegic (paralysis of the lower extremities) with vertebral trauma.

Psychogenic - the result of mental activity or sensory stimulation of any kind (sounds, visual images). This type of erection requires a healthy nervous system, since only a few patients with damage to the lower parts of the spinal cord can reach it;

Night - for unclear reasons, occurs in a dream or upon awakening in all men from childhood. Indicates that the underlying mechanism is operating normally. Impotents for psychological reasons or due to a lack of male hormones continue to erect during sleep. The absence of nocturnal erections indicates physical impairment.

3. Hormones. Being necessary for puberty, male hormones (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) enhance erection, but are not necessary. A man with hormonal deficiency loses interest in sex, the amount of his ejaculate is somewhat reduced, but he is capable of all three types of erection. The introduction of additional hormones to a man with a normal level increases his sexual desire, but he becomes more irritable, and the level of cholesterol in the blood rises without adjusting the mechanism to prevent an erection.

4. The mechanism of sexual intercourse. An erection occurs with an increase in blood flow to the penis: the network of empty veins running in the cavernous and spongy bodies is filled, the penis thickens and lengthens until it is filled with blood to failure. At the same time, the ischiocavernous muscles contract, compressing the base of the penis and blocking the outflow of blood from it, which ensures rigidity of the erection. During this period, urination is difficult, and almost no blood enters the penis. Such situations are fraught with gangrene, but, fortunately, this phase does not last long. Ejaculation occurs when muscles contract along the epididymis, vas deferens and the prostate; while the seminal fluid is pushed into the urethra. The neck of the bladder also contracts, preventing the reverse flow of fluid, then the muscles of the penis contract sharply and rhythmically, throwing out 2 to 5 cm3 of ejaculate. At this time, we experience that amazing sensation called orgasm.

Then the muscles of the penis relax, the blood flows and the erection weakens. A man loses interest in sexual intercourse, and erection and ejaculation become impossible for some time. The refractory period usually lasts only a few minutes, but can vary widely depending on the state of health, motivation and habits. With age, it lengthens, like all sexual phases.

The term "impotence", meaning "lack of strength, strength," can refer to any disease that interferes with sexual activity, but usually people associate it with penile weakness. Those whose penis becomes too soft too quickly, or who have lost the ability to erection consider themselves impotent - men have been afraid of this humiliating state throughout the history of the human race. Even during the Puritan Victorian period, when it was impossible to find a hint of sex in popular literature, doctors advertised tonic drugs and drugs that restore male power. Everyone, of course, understood what was being discussed.

The most common male sexual disorder - impotence - seems so shameful that patients try not to pronounce the word. Men may ask the doctor to give them injections “to increase energy” or conduct a full examination, hypocritically asserting that nothing like this has ever happened to them. Over 20 years of practice, I have never met a man who called himself impotent, and I suspect that many of them have never discussed this issue. Such people should know that medicine in this area is not as powerless as it seems to them.

Reasons for no erection

The most elementary reason is that every man misfires from time to time. Anxiety, general fatigue, a cold, a scandal with a partner and other stresses can negate the most titanic efforts to cause an erection. Doctors do not consider such setbacks to be impotence if they are irregular.

Medication. Medical guides provide huge lists of tools that can trigger failures, including dozens of those that I constantly and safely write to my patients. But some drugs do temporarily lower sexual ability.

Several groups of antihypertensive drugs quite often cause temporary impotence. Doctors even warn the patient about this by writing him a prescription. Such a warning in itself can cause impotence of a psychogenic nature, and most likely men, having thanked the doctor, will leave the office and never go to the pharmacy with such a prescription. And since, without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to disastrous consequences, I always explain to my patients that:

• these drugs affect the sexual abilities of very few people;
• Some antihypertensive drugs never cause impotence, so the doctor will easily adjust your pressure without additional difficulties.

Alcohol and marijuana, along with sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants and other drugs that affect the brain (antihistamines, anticonvulsants and antiemetics) can also lead to a temporary loss of erectile abilities. Cessation of admission restores potency, and the transition to another class of such drugs sometimes helps to maintain potency and continue treatment.

Circulatory failure. With sufficient blood flow, the penis enlarges slowly or does not increase at all. Deposits on the walls of blood vessels of cholesterol, which reduce blood flow to the heart, can do the same with the penis; manifestations of impotence along with diseases of the coronary arteries increase with age. Atherosclerosis, being the leading disease of Americans, in most cases becomes the cause of impotence.

The diet described in chapter 2, along with the prevention of atherosclerosis, dramatically reduces this risk. If a person still suffered such a disaster, I recommend him this diet as a general measure of maintaining health, but by no means a quick way to restore an erection. For this purpose, some artificial agents may be needed, which are described below, although X-ray studies in some cases reveal a local blockade of the arteries of the penis, which can be removed surgically.

Diseases in which peripheral nerves are affected often cause impotence. Diabetics usually blame high blood sugar for everything, but in fact, the cause of peripheral nerve damage is the poorly understood consequence of long-term diabetes, which occurs in 50% of cases. Severe hypovitaminosis also leads to impotence, but American doctors rarely have to deal with this. Surgeons mainly learned to avoid damage to the nerves of the penis during operations on the bladder, prostate and rectum, but some risk persists.

Hormonal disorders. With these words, men immediately think about testosterone, but about 90% of cases of hormonal impotence are caused by diabetes. According to one theory, maintaining a normal blood sugar level prevents both impotence and other complications of diabetes (eye and kidney damage). Strict sugar control requires strict diet, maintaining a normal weight and, if necessary, several injections of insulin per day. Complications of diabetes are irreversible, therefore, everyone, having learned their diagnosis, should immediately take the measures described.

Other hormonal disorders (insufficiency of testosterone and other hormones as a result of diseases of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland) not only affect erection, but also reduce sexual desire.

Other physiological causes of impotence. There are many such reasons, but they are rare. So, impotence affects 50% of patients requiring hemodialysis, but in most of them, function is restored after a successful kidney transplant.

A full erection requires the relatively normal functioning of certain organs, so victims of serious chronic diseases like cirrhosis of the liver or cancer experience noticeable difficulties. Violations occur after heart attacks, but this occurs more likely as a result of the action of drugs and stress. Men with high blood pressure are often worried about this, but hypertension alone does not lead to impotence.

Psychogenic reasons. Severe depression or stress are the main causes of psychogenic impotence. Patients with depression lose their ability to enjoy, and this is a powerful barrier to erectile function. Such people lose their self-esteem and hope for the future, are convinced that they, they say, have earned their humiliation and, in any case, cannot change their attitude to life. Suffering from other serious mental illnesses (schizophrenics and maniacs) perplex others and attract the attention of doctors, but their behavior cannot be suppressed. Depression, on the other hand, is a depressing, painful condition, sometimes even more dangerous for life, because it can lead to suicide.

Many see depression as an excellent example of a purely emotional disorder and believe that it should be treated with kindness and psychotherapy, rather than medication. This opinion is erroneous. Serious mental disorders are actually brain diseases. Traditionally, psychotherapy in such situations does not work well. The best results are achieved with the use of drugs and electroshock.

Doctors no longer conclude that every impotent who is worried or afraid should blame these feelings for his problems. Both anxiety and fear can cause impotence itself. In addition, increased anxiety is a normal condition for some people. It is not at all difficult to convince them of anything - precisely because of their tendency to intense experiences. Every man under the influence of stress can temporarily become impotent, but for this condition to manifest itself regularly or become permanent, serious troubles are needed - loss of work, major family conflict, etc.

People who consider sex an everyday duty, rather than a joy in life, also run the risk of getting into trouble. Very religious people, as well as abused and men with distorted ideas about their sexual abilities, often suffer from impotence. Some men initially did not show much interest in sex, but abstinence from intercourse is not a disease, unless the person himself is mentally suffering from this. And finally, there are men who need non-traditional sexual relations: some homosexuals (active) coming into contact with a woman turn out to be impotent.

Diagnostics. The doctor must make sure whether the patient is completely impotent or not, and only then resort to complex and expensive studies. An erection requires such good coordination of the nervous and vascular systems that a person who achieves the desired result in at least 1% of his attempts is likely to suffer from psychogenic impotence.

A man who has only nocturnal erections is healthy from a physical point of view, so the doctor needs to know if they have a place. A urologist will probably send you home.

Every man suspecting impotence should undergo a thorough examination. The doctor will measure the testicles. Their length less than 3.5 cm indicates a lack of male hormones, the wrong growth and location of pubic hair, as well as their absence indicate this. In order to identify possible blockage of the arteries, the pulse is measured; then muscle strength, reflexes, pain sensitivity and the presence of minor neurological disorders are checked. In addition to the knee-jerk reflex, the doctor will check another little-known reflex - the bulbocavernous reflex, which is most often absent with neurological impotence: when the tip of the penis is squeezed, the anus should contract. You can do it yourself at home.

Of all the possible blood tests, most violations are detected by a sugar test, since even early diabetes can cause impotence. In rare cases, the diagnosis can be made on the basis of other analyzes, but nevertheless, everyone is prescribed a complete set of them along with several hormone samples with a mandatory testosterone level test. Sometimes, with insufficient pituitary hormones, the patient is prescribed computed tomography to determine its causes.

Until the 1980s, checking the circulation of blood in the penis required the use of arteriography — introducing a contrast medium into the artery of the penis and tracking its passage using x-rays. Despite the high accuracy, arteriography is technically complicated, expensive and somewhat risky, so doctors are not inclined to use it without serious indications. Fortunately, the latest verification methods are simpler.

Today, urologists test circulation by injecting vasodilators (papaverine or phentolamine) directly into the penis. A normal erection that occurs within 15 minutes indicates a good arterial-venous blood flow. Since an erection may not occur in nerve patients, a negative result is not as certain.

Another simple way is to measure the blood pressure in the penis (using a baby’s cuff to measure pressure). Under normal conditions, it should be approximately 90% of the pressure measured in the usual way on the arm. Indications of 75% or less suggest a deviation; readings of less than 60% indicate a serious disturbance in circulation. Specialists can take advantage of many other safe methods, based primarily on the use of ultrasound, which provide useful information about the blood circulation, but rarely reveal minor irregularities.

An impotent suffering from depression, diabetes or prostate infection may not hope to be relieved until these ailments are cured. Therefore, the first task of doctors is to find out which one can be beneficially affected. Although quitting smoking and quitting alcohol alone are rarely able to restore potency, these measures are necessary. Medicines such as aspirin or vitamins are not seen to have a negative effect on sexual function, but stopping them is so easy that you should try and see what happens.

Testosterone treat, of course, testosterone deficiency. The drug in tablets is absorbed unevenly by the body, as a result of which liver damage is possible. Doctors prefer to administer testosterone by injection (one injection per week weeks). Stains may appear on the skin during treatment.

Treatment with male hormones is accompanied by significant side effects. Their excessive intake stimulates the formation of benign and malignant tumors, so patients have to undergo a rectal examination every six months. Suppressing pituitary hormones, testosterone reduces fertilization. At the same time, it enhances sexual desire, which with impotence gives a very sad effect.

Like testosterone, other drugs sometimes cure impotence, but in most cases they cannot cope with it. Although experts often find that prescribing drugs is useless, most men find alternatives, to put it mildly, unattractive. Anticipating the need for surgery, implants or a Goldberg device to “pump” his penis, everyone prefers to start with medication, and the doctors are right in assisting them.

Medicines to help with impotence

Yogimbin ("Yokon", "Yogimeks") is widely known as an "underground" remedy - this is not the products of Western researchers and pharmaceuticals, but an extract from Chinese herbs. Although a certain part of the population believes in the amazing possibilities of alternative medicine, its means are still less effective than we would like. The Chinese do not have our passion for all kinds of mechanical things and sophisticated technology (read the section on penis implants below) - their solutions to such issues are based on knowledge,

Although there is no statistically significant evidence, yogimbine can still help with impotence, possibly by slowing the outflow of blood from the penis. The required dose is 5.4 mg 3 times a day.

Zinc. Everyday food contains the required amount of zinc, but some people are at risk for its deficiency: those on hemodialysis, diabetics, and those taking diuretics. Diagnosis is by blood test. The result of the analysis is usually normal, but it is difficult to resist the desire to “heal”. Try taking 220 mg of zinc sulfate or 420 mg of zinc gluconate daily for two months.

Bromocriptine (Parlodel) counteracts the body's excessive production of prolactin, the pituitary hormone. The overproduction of prolactin can be triggered by both tumors and various drugs, diseases of the kidneys and thyroid gland; sometimes manifested in the postoperative period.

Nitroglycerin increases blood flow to the heart. Taken orally or under the tongue, it slightly affects potency, but from time to time there are reports of its good effect when applied in the form of a paste applied to the penis.

Papaverine or phentolomine injected directly into the penis is useful in the diagnosis, but at the same time it has become a popular treatment, effective in all types of impotence: arterial, neurological and psychogenic. A man should consider these medicines if surgery is the only alternative. Before sending the patient home with ampoules and syringes, the urologist must teach him the injection technique with a thorough explanation of possible side effects (scarring with prolonged use, occasional prolonged erections).

A condom-like device consists of a double-walled silicone shell (case). It is put on the penis, then air is sucked out from the case with a syringe (or mouth), as a result of which it compresses the penis, drawing it into the shell and simultaneously drawing blood into the depth of the penis. To ensure tightness, a suction tube is wrapped around the base. Other similar devices consist of a hollow plastic cylinder connected to a small pump. Having put the cylinder on the penis, the man uses a hand pump to remove air. When the suction is complete, you need to slide the rubber ring at the base of the cylinder onto the base of the penis to prevent blood outflow.

Some types of surgical implants. Although cutting a penis to insert a shaft inside it seems dangerous, urologists have been doing it successfully since the 70s, with all the best results. If the other methods did not work, implantation provides an acceptable erection.

There are three types of implants. In increasing order of difficulty, they are divided into semi-rigid, intermediate and inflatable. Simple implants are more reliable, complex ones are more convenient. Each urologist has his own favorite type, but the final choice should remain with the patient.

Semi-rigid devices are often simple enough to implant under local anesthesia. Usually their task is to provide rigidity during straightening, but to be able to bend when there is no need for an erection. Since they do not provide moving parts, they rarely fail, but do not increase either the length or diameter of the penis; in addition, when using them, the penis is difficult to hide under clothing.

Intermediate devices are also completely inside the penis, but most of their length is the flexible cylinder. Multiple compression of the end of the fixture inflates the cylinder. Bending the erect penis in the middle releases air from the cylinder. These devices lengthen the penis more than semi-rigid, and the penis is easier to hide when the device is not used for its intended purpose.

Completely inflatable dentures provide the most similar to a natural erection by increasing both the length and diameter of the penis, allowing after use to bring the size back to normal. In one of these devices, the implant is connected by tubes to a reservoir of fluid hidden in the scrotum. Compression of the scrotum fills or empties the cylinder in the penis.

Articles

Managing Men's Health

If you have problems with the male genitourinary system, you must consult a specialist. You can find it in the andrology center - a medical institution with highly specialized doctors. Previously, only a urologist was engaged in violations of this sphere in men. Now, andrology has taken over part of the tasks in this area, so you need to understand which doctor to contact in a particular case.

What is the difference between an andrologist and a urologist?

• Urology deals with diseases of the genitourinary system in men and women. There are also children's doctors. This is a general direction that has long dealt with a whole range of problems in this area. Modern standards imply a narrower specialization, giving male gender problems to another doctor.
• Andrology is a relatively young section, so in some clinics there is still a double specialization of andrologist-urologist. Gradually, it is divided into two areas, giving the andrologist only diseases of the genital area. He can restore the erectile and reproductive functions of men, and in children help with improper development of the genitals.

When to contact a urologist?

The search for urology clinics in Moscow is necessary in the following cases.

1. Soreness in the kidneys associated with suspected urolithiasis.
2. Pus or blood in the urine.
3. Stains, inflammation, or ulcers on the genitals.
4. Too frequent or rare urination.
5. Burning, pain, and itching when urinating.
6. Urinary incontinence.

In the presence of the above problems, it is better to consult a doctor immediately.

When is an andrologist consultation required?

• Erectile function problems.
• Decreased sexual desire.
• Soreness during intercourse.
• Suspected infertility in the absence of problems with a partner.
• Suspected STDs.
• Lack of ejaculate during intercourse.
• Congenital or acquired genital pathology.
• Side effects or difficulties in choosing male contraceptives.

For problems with potency, the andrologist will help.

How is the diagnosis?

Regardless of the specialization of the doctor, admission will take place according to the following scheme.

1. Conversation with the patient. At this stage, the lifestyle features and associated diseases are clarified.
2. Inspection It includes the general view of the patient and the condition of the external genitalia.
3. Examination of urine for inflammatory processes.
4. Smear from the urethra.
5. Palpation of the organs of the scrotum, lymph nodes, penis, prostate gland.
6. Spermogram.
7. Ultrasound.
8. Kidney tests.
9. X-ray.
10. Analysis of the secretion of the prostate gland.
11. Biopsy.
12. Urethroscopy.
13. Uroflowmetry.

Depending on the testimony, the doctor prescribes additional studies for the diagnosis. After receiving full information, a treatment plan is drawn up.

Men's Health - The Most Common Problems

Men's health is not only an erection ability.

Problems in the male part can affect all spheres of life, causing stress and difficulties in relationships, disrupting sexual life and reproductive ability, undermining self-confidence and self-worth.

In order to be able to maintain his health, a man needs to know the causes and symptoms of possible diseases. There are many factors that affect men's health. Some factors we are not able to change, but others could have been avoided.

• Unprotected sex. Without using condoms, giving vent to emotions, and not reason, a man can easily become a victim of a sexually transmitted disease.
• Aggressive sex and masturbation. If the penis is suddenly and strongly bent in an erection, this can lead to injury - a fracture of the penis.
• Vascular disease and diabetes. Impaired blood circulation in the small arteries of the penis caused by diabetes and atherosclerosis can lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Some medications. A number of medications can negatively affect men's health. For example, taking antibiotics for a long time sometimes results in a fungal infection of the genitals. A side effect of beta blockers is a decrease in libido.
• Surgical operations. A common operation to remove the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), which is done with prostate cancer, can cause urinary incontinence, pain and erectile dysfunction.
• Smoking. Smoking adversely affects the state of blood vessels in general, including the vessels of the penis, which leads to impaired erection.
• The level of hormones. Hormonal imbalances, such as with testosterone deficiency or excess prolactin, can lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Psychological problems. Depression can cause loss of libido. Moreover, after one or two failures, the man will be set to “defeat” in the future. And this contributes to further sexual and psychological problems. Mental trauma in childhood (violence) is also associated with sexual failure in adulthood.
• Neurological diseases. Stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and dementia can interfere with the transmission of impulses from the brain to the genitals. The result is sexual problems.
• Aging. With age, men gradually decrease testosterone levels. This leads to a loss of sexual interest, weakened erection and impaired fertility.
• Piercing. Penetration of the skin on the genitals is fraught with skin infections and impaired future excitement.
• Subcooling. Men who spend a long time in the cold, especially in a motionless sitting position (drivers), often become victims of chronic prostatitis. This disease affects potency, fertility, affects the general well-being and quality of life of a man.

The most common men's health problems

Inflammation of the prostate gland, often in chronic form, affects hundreds of millions of men around the world. Acute prostatitis is characterized by impaired urination, pain in the perineum, sometimes accompanied by fever and aches in the body. Acute inflammation of the prostate requires an urgent consultation by a urologist, otherwise the disease can become chronic.

In chronic prostatitis, the symptoms of the disease are erased, patients complain of pain and discomfort in the perineum and genital area, frequent urination, urine dripping, frequent nightly urges, pain during ejaculation, weakening erection, etc. Male infertility or erectile dysfunction may result.

Erectile dysfunction and ejaculation

The most common and terrible problem for men is erectile dysfunction. It is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection for a full sexual intercourse. There is another violation, priapism is an unusually long and painful erection that may not even be caused by sexual stimulation.

Often there are violations of ejaculation. Anejaculation is the inability to ejaculate. It is also possible premature ejaculation, painful ejaculation and retrograde ejaculation, in which sperm is thrown into the bladder, but does not go outside. All these disorders can talk about a variety of diseases, so in each of these cases you need to be examined by a doctor.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

There are many STDs that can manifest themselves in different ways. Among them are gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, etc. The most common signs of STDs are: vesicles or ulcers on the penis, painful urination, discharge, itching in the genital area. Any unusual manifestations require urgent medical attention. Do not self-medicate in any case.

Problems with the foreskin

The disease phimosis is widely known, in which the foreskin in uncircumcised men does not allow to expose the glans penis. Phimosis is treated surgically. Paraphimosis occurs when a man manages to roll back his foreskin, but fails to bring it back. In this condition, urgent care may be required, because blood circulation in the penis is impaired.

Other diseases

Fungal infection (candidiasis) can cause redness and white plaque on the glans penis. Inflammation of the head of the penis (balanitis) is a serious disease that is accompanied by discharge from the urethra and pain. Peyronie's disease is a chronic condition in which abnormal scar tissue develops in the penis. Sometimes men develop penile cancer, which usually begins with a sore on the foreskin or head.

Symptoms of diseases of the male genital area

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you have:

1. Ejaculation is impaired.
2. An admixture of blood is visible in the ejaculate.
3. Burning sensation while urinating.
4. Unusual discharge from the urethra appeared.
5. Pain and itching in the genital area.
6. Increased urination.
7. Delayed urination.
8. There are dark spots on the penis.
9. There is a rash, sores, and redness in the genital area.
10. There was an injury during sex, after which the penis hurts.

Male Genital Disease Prevention

Each of us can take simple steps to improve our health:

• Be responsible. Use condoms or have a monogamous relationship with a trusted partner to avoid STDs.
• Get vaccinated. If you are under 26 years old, American doctors recommend vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV). This will protect you from genital warts - a very unpleasant and contagious disease.
• Maintain physical activity. Moderate physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes and potency problems. In addition, a good charge will give you strength for the whole day.
• Follow good hygiene practices. If you are not circumcised, wash with soap every day the space between the head of the penis and the foreskin.
• Know everything about your medications. Examine all the medicines that you have to take in order to know about their possible side effects and features of the reception.
• Take care of your psyche. Treat depression and other mental problems in time. Minimize the impact of work and household stress on your psyche.
• Limit your alcohol intake and give up drugs, including “lungs” such as marijuana.
• Be sure to give up cigarettes. Any form of nicotine, even chewing tobacco, is bad for our blood vessels. As a result, the heart, brain, lungs, and even the vessels of the penis suffer. The results of smoking are known to everyone: stroke, heart attack, several types of cancer, impotence, etc.
• Avoid hypothermia. This will reduce the chance of genitourinary infections and prostate problems.
• Use what you have regularly. Regular sex life is simply necessary for any healthy man. The lack of sex has a bad effect on the condition of the prostate and the health of the man as a whole.

Remember, some male diseases cannot be prevented. However, a regular visit to the doctor will help you identify these diseases at an early stage, which means successful treatment. Every man should regularly examine his genitals for signs of any disease. A visit to a urologist at least 1-2 times a year will help at an early stage to identify serious diseases such as prostate cancer.

Do not forget to find time for your health!

13 men's health problems and their solution

How to deal with men's health problems.

1. Back hair
At about the age of 20, every man is faced with a problem such as the appearance of hair on his back. For some, they can arise in bundles, and for others, in whole thickets. It is unlikely that your companion will like a hairy back, so the best option is to permanently remove all hairs using laser hair removal. Cheaper, but short-term options are cream or wax hair removal, or shaving.

2. Beer Belly
Men (especially those who regularly drink beer) are more prone to fat belly formation than women. If your waistline reaches 100 centimeters or more, you run the risk of getting a cardiovascular disease. There is good news: if you aim to lose weight, first of all, fat in the abdomen begins to disappear.

3. Increased sweating
Men have higher sweating than women, and this is a fact. Sweat not only leaves marks on clothes, but also creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria, which subsequently provoke an unpleasant body odor. Take regular showers with soap and antiperspirant. If you still experience rapid sweating, then most likely you have hyperhidrosis that requires treatment.

4. Rosacea

Rosacea, or rosacea, is a chronic disease whose main signs are redness of the skin and the formation of tubercles, pustules and other rashes on the face. Mostly, people in adulthood are susceptible to this disease, however, complications develop more quickly and more often in men - the nose is severely deformed and turns red. Before using medicines or ointments, consult your doctor.

5. Bald patches
The bitter truth: most men from 35 years old begin hair loss. At 50 years old they already have large bald patches from the forehead to the crown of the head. With the help of modern methods of hair transplantation, amazing results can be achieved. Some men benefit from drug therapy and a special scalp massage. Consult a specialist to select the most optimal treatment method.

6. Color blindness
Color blindness is color blindness, the inability to distinguish one or more colors. The disease does not mean that patients see the world in black and white, basically they can not distinguish between red and green. Because of the nature of inheritance, color blindness is 20 times more common in men than in women. It is impossible to cure the disease, but with the help of special techniques you can learn to distinguish colors.

7. Snoring
Snoring in itself is not harmful to humans, but it can be a sign of a more serious problem - sleep apnea, when ventilation stops for several seconds or even minutes. Also, snoring can interfere with the quality of sleep of loved ones who sleep nearby. Men often snore in a dream, therefore, to save their women, seek help from a specialist.

8. Gases and belching
From the point of view of physiology, moderate belching and gases after eating are a normal reaction of the body to the air received with food. Frequent belching combined with other symptoms like nausea, heartburn, or stomach pain can be a sign of digestive upset. In this case, you should consult a doctor.

9. Itching in the groin area
Jockey itch is a rash in the groin and upper thighs caused by the growth of fungi. This is characteristic of people prone to sweating, in particular athletes, hence the name of the disease. Avoid tight clothing, wash your sweat suit more often, and if you sweat a lot, use body powder.

10. Ingrown nails
Not only women should take care of the nails, but also men. Incorrect trimming is the main cause of the formation of ingrown nails, which cause pain, swelling and inflammation. The most common mistake is to cut the nails too short. To avoid this, purchase scissors with rounded ends that form a natural curve of the nail.

11. Bad breath
Specific food and smoking can cause stale breathing. The most common causative agent of unpleasant odors are bacteria that begin to multiply in pieces of food left in your mouth. Do not forget to brush your teeth, interdental spaces and tongue after each snack. If observing this rule still does not relieve you of an unpleasant odor, consult your dentist for help.

By: Dr. Brent Yanke